Two Knick items of interest need to be addressed before exploring the selections of the 13 teams in tomorrow night’s draft in Washington D.C.

Will Garden president Dave Checketts promote Jeff Van Gundy to GM when the two meet within the next two days. No way! Go to sleep on it. If Checketts wouldn’t give Pat Riley that kind of power, he’s certainly not going to bestow it on Van Gundy.

Instead, look for Ed Tapscott, VP of player personnel, to get hooked up. Checketts could go in another director, but don’t think Ernie Grunfeld’s name is in his playbook. In another few days, he can pocket his $5M severance package and is free to take a job with another organization.